the Zethus Convex Mirror

In All, Mirrors by Mark Evans

 

The Zethus convex mirror is made of quartz crystal points and spheres, Venetian glass and a silver leafed frame.

This mirror is about 11 inches in diameter.  It is currently in my studio waiting to be shipped to one of my showrooms.  If you are interested contact me directly.

Jewelry for walls.

The Zethus mirror is the fraternal twin of the Amphion convex mirror.  Hence the story of these two demi-gods who inspired these mirrors:

The god Zeus raped the mortal Antiope.  Like many victims of rape she was treated cruelly by her those who lived in hometown, Thebes, and she fled.  After giving birth to twins, Zethus and Amphion, she was banished from her hiding place and forced to return to Thebes.  Her story continues…

Amphion became a great singer and musician after his lover Hermes taught him to play and gave him a golden lyre. Zethus became a hunter and herdsman, with a great interest in cattle breeding(?!). They built the walls around the Cadmea, the citadel of Thebes. While Zethus struggled to carry his heavy stones, Amphion played his lyre and his stones floated after him and gently glided into place.  Eventually their mother, Antiope, was reunited with her twins.  In vengeance for their mother’s past treatment by the Thebans, Zethus and Amphion raised an army and conquered Thebes becoming joint rulers.

Amphion married Niobe, the daughter of Tantalus, the Lydian king. Because of this, he learned to play his lyre in the Lydian mode and added three strings to it. Zethus married Thebe after whom the city of Thebes was named.

All characters came to a grisly end.

A marble bas-relief by Julius Troschel of Zethus and Amphion circa 1845.

An 18th century engraving of Zethus and Amphion.